Walking holidays for singles

Only a few walks are mentioned here, but there are many others, all far away from the tourist area and just as nice.

The walk up to the village of Milia takes about an hour and a half. After a lovely drive through the foothills, you will stop in the village of Topolia, which provides an opportunity to visit the church there and take some photographs, before the walk begins. Milia is a lovely little village up in the hills, where all the local produce is organic, and you can sample the wonderful food and local wine provided by the restaurant there. You may stop and look at a tiny whitewashed Byzantine church before the walk downhill through the flower -filled chestnut and olive groves.

Deliana gorge provides another very scenic walk, which is not too strenuous. The drive to the head of the gorge, where you will be dropped off, takes you through olive groves and foothills on the western side of the island. You walk downhill into the gorge, surrounded by towering cliffs on either side; hawks and vultures wheel overhead and the tinkling sound of goat bells echoes down from the high crags above you. In the winter, a river runs beside the path and crosses it in places, but by the end of May it has usually dried up. A tiny church in a clearing provides a resting place at the bottom, before the track levels out and continues to the end of the gorge, and up into the village of Deliana. Here the local restaurant provides a splendid lunch.

A walk down the Agia Irini gorge means an early start and a spectacular drive over the mountains. This gorge is very remote, and is in the south of Crete. It is not as long as the Samaria gorge, but is very rocky, so you must have tough footwear, and it is sensible to carry a bottle of water too. The scenery is truly amazing, and there are all sorts of things to photograph, including the eagles, vultures, and hawks, which hover overhead. After three hours, you will reach the end of the gorge and get a first glimpse of the blue Libyan Sea. 

The wonderful cliff side walk from Nopigia, in the north of the island, gives you magnificent panoramic views of the coastline below, and takes you through groves of oleander and wild thyme, where there are little gulleys that are full of extraordinary dragon lilies. Bring your swimming things and some plastic sandals, as there is a chance to swim when you reach a little pebbly beach, before continuing on to the tiny village of Ravdouha, where there is a restaurant for lunch.

You will certainly feel fitter at the end of just one week walking, despite all the good food. You will also have seen part of the Real Crete, and experienced the genuine hospitality or filoxenia of the local people, for which this island is justly famous.
The walks
The walks are easy to medium. They vary from 2 to 4 hours per day. Some involve a degree of dificulty and walking boots are essential. walks vary from 5 to 15 miles per day and are followed by lunches at local rural Tavernas on three days and one packed lunch.
We will take 4 days walking per week depending on weather and circumstances and there will be time to relax or do your own thing.
The walking holiday weeks also involve a lot of culture and history. We will be talking about the history myths and legends of each place or region we visit and expect to be introduced to local people. We will try to sample the culture and food of each place and eat in local restaurants and Tavernas.
We will see and smell the aromatic herbs and plants of the Cretan mountains like Thyme, Oregano, Chamomile, Cretan Dittany, Marjoram, Wild Artichoke and there will not only be a chance to buy the local famous Thyme honey, but also the scarse, pharmaceutical, dark, Heather honey.We are almost guaranteed to see Vultures and certainly many other migrating birds.
Group size
A small group of around 10 participants is expected but some walks might have a few more.
Walking Dates and Prices

All repeat guests will receive a 5% discount

Prices include single accommodation on double/twin rooms, half board with 6 sumptuous dinners as well as all transportation and guiding needed for the four walks.

Prices also include 3 light taverna lunches after the walks and one packed lunch
Please note that for the week 3rd May weeks where there will also be non walking guests at the hotel.

Guest quote from October 2008 walking week: 

Dear Vassilis and everyone at The Mistral,   Many many thanks for the wonderful holiday. I have a great time and really enjoyed the whole experience. Crete is a bautiful country and I feel that through the exciting walks, breathtaking sceneary and very, very tasty food I got to experience it to the full. I really appreciate all the care and attention to detail that you all put into making me feel welcome and to making this a truly memorable holiday. I fully intend to return in the future, so i will see you all then. Until that time, have a great rest and take care.   Sincerely,   Sam

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